Troparion of St. Silouan (Tone 2, Kievan)

O Blessed Father, bright flower of grace transplanted from the soil of Holy Russia, after a vision of the Theotokos thou didst run to the Holy Mountain of Athos, the most wonderful garden of the Mother of God. Thou didst live humbly among thy brethren at St. Panteleimon's holy monastery, watching the glory of men and kingdoms fade, remembering to seek the heavenly abode on high. The lowly Lord of all reached down in His love and touched thine open heart and spoke to thee face to face as with Moses of old. For thy sake and for us also Jesus spoke and said: "Keep thy mind in hell and despair not!" lest we strugglers fall to the right or the left. O wondrous Father and Starets Silouan, teach us to touch His heart with lowly thoughts of great yearning love.

Kontakion of St. Silouan (Tone 5)

Great Wonder-worker of Athos, blessed son of Russia, ardent practicer of silence through the Jesus Prayer; icon of simple faithfulness to us in these modern times, thou didst run far from any judgment even passing thy lips; thy smooth skull now adorns like a most precious pearl the church that thou didst pray in so faithfully, drawing men's hearts up by the heavenly smell of thy sanctity. O blessed and righteous Father and Starets Silouan, plead now on our behalf, that the Lord of Mercy will soon come to dwell in our hearts for all eternity.

O Blessed Starets Silouan, pray unto God for us!

Women's Monasticism

Women's monasticism started in the 4th century at approximately the same time as men's monasticism. There were some of those early women monastics that went out into the desert to live strict ascetical lives for many years, often under harsh conditions. Although there have been women who have been hermits and skete dwellers at times, it is much more usual for them to live in communities with possessions in common. God guides both women and men in monasticism, yet women monastic's lives have often been more hidden than the men's (as was that of the Most Holy Theotokos and Virgin Mary). Yet typically for centuries in Orthodox lands, there have been nearly twice as many women in the Orthodox monastic life than men.

Foundation

Founded in August 1991, this woman's monastic community presently has one nun. The foundation was blessed by Elder Sophrony, the direct disciple of Starets Silouan, and was given a relic of St. Silouan for its foundation by the Abbot of St. Panteleimon's Monastery on Mount Athos. The monastic form of the Convent is cenobitic or communal which was originally developed by St. Pachomios, another 4th century disciple of St. Anthony the Great. The spiritual foundation of the Convent's life is the continous repetition of the Jesus Prayer, humility, poverty, chastity, stability, and obedience.

St. Silouan

St. Silouan was born in Russia in 1866. He entered the Monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mount Athos in 1892, and lived there as just a simple monk for 46 years. St. Silouan was known mostly for his extreme humility and obedience, and although he was most simple in formal education and in outward things, he became profoundly educated in the inner workings of the heart and soul through prayer and illumination from Christ, Who even appeared to him to comfort and humble him. For many years St. Silouan battled against the demons and led a life of deep prayer, interceding often and regularly for the whole world.

Daily Life

The focus of the work of the Convent now is in St. Isaac's Bookstore, the Mission Center, the educational work, and the library, as well as at daily monastic chores. Though busy doing many different things, the main goal is for each nun to pray continuously. So during the day when doing their obedience, keeping constant remembrace of God in prayer at the same time emulates their patron who both worked hard, with many responsibilities, and yet prayed continuously.

Location & Donations

Temporarily located at the Mission Center, the Convent is waiting to relocate nearby when a suitable property can be found and funds are available. To support the nuns and help them to purchase land you can make a donation to the Convent by choosing the "Donations" button on the left menu bar.